The Paratrooper is required to be physically fit and mentally robust. He has to demonstrate motivation, self-reliance, initiative and intelligence. Through rigorous selection and hard training the airborne soldier is expected to develop resilience, self-confidence and a fierce determination to succeed, whatever the difficulties. And this man did a modest and charitable person Utrinque Paratus

Old-Salt

i met him once when i worked on security at the canada dock here in liverpool..
he came through the vehicle search shed andf at the end of the docs and search i stated"thank you mr o,connor".
he looked at me and said to the girl that was with me,will you tell him who the fuckin comedian is..
the boat would have been rockin on that sailing..

Good call. I last chatted to him at Gerry Fitt's funeral in Westminster Cathedral, where he pitched up like a cast member from HMS Pinafore. He was in the uniform of a Knight of St. Gregory and allowing for a bit of mugging for the cameras outside of the cathedral, he was in serious mode. A lovely, lovely man. Nice to know that he supported hols4heroes, he also supported the Airborne Association and attended the annual meet in Blackpool as circumstances permitted.

Old-Salt

Many years ago a mate organised a charity evening and enquired if Frank would be available to do a "spot" in aid of a good cause. The reply came back that he was already booked that night but as it was on his route he would try and turn up after his booking and "show his face and tell a couple of gags". Frank duly turned up very late in the evening and he only stopped several hours later because people were in physical pain through laughing so much and the fact the bar had already stayed open way past licencing hours.